August 24th, 2018 by Chris Chapman

Get Fast Period Pain Relief with these Period Pain Remedies

Period pains affect almost half of the world’s population at some point, and while they’re almost never a sign of a serious health condition, they can still affect your life. It might feel like period cramps are an unavoidable part of your monthly routine, but there are plenty of ways that you can help relieve some of the pain and continue living your best life.

1. Do Some Light Exercises

While it might be difficult to find the motivation to exercise at that time of the month, doing some light exercise could actually help relieve period pains. Exercise makes your body release endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that both boost your mood and help block out the pain signals that are sent to your brain. Doing a bit of yoga or aerobics in your front room will not only release lots of these warm, fuzzy chemicals into your body, but it’ll also distract you from the pain and give you something to focus on.

2. Use a Heat Pad

Heat therapy has been used as a period pain remedy for decades now, and there’s a good reason for that; it really works, and now we have the science to prove it! Being warm means your body doesn’t have to use as much energy to generate heat, which is why warmth makes is feel comfy and relaxed. However, heat doesn’t just provide you with a comforting feeling – applying heat directly to the source of your pain activates the heat receptors in your body, which in turn send signals to your brain which actually block out some of the pain signals. What this means is that using heat on your stomach doesn’t just make you feel cosy, it actually stops you from feeling pain! Using an electric heat pad is one of the most effective forms of period pain relief as it heats up quickly and gives you full control over how hot you have it. With a hot water bottle, you’re often left with something that’s too hot or too cold, meaning it’s not as effective. A heat pad with lots of settings – such as this Homefront heat pad, which also has the benefit of being made from comfortingly soft fabric – is a much better choice as you can get the temperature just how you like it, meaning you can keep it held directly against your stomach so the heat gets just where it needs to be.

3. Get into Avocados

Avocados are a very trendy food at the minute, but did you know they can help alleviate some of your period pains? Avocados are high in magnesium, which is a nutrient that’s found to help relieve period pain as it helps your muscles to relax. If you can’t stomach avocados, don’t worry; there are plenty of other foods that are a great source of magnesium. Bran flakes, porridge oats, potato skins, peanuts and peanut butter, spinach, pumpkins, kidney beans, and plenty more besides will all give you the magnesium you need.

4. Don’t Give in to Temptation

You might be tempted to reach for the comfort food when your period cramps have you feeling down, but this can actually make things feel worse. Most junk foods are high in sugar and salt, which encourage your body to retain more water. This means they can make you feel bloated and tender, which is the last thing you want! What you eat during your period can massively help or hinder how comfortable you are during that time of the month. Foods that have an anti-inflammatory effect, such as blueberries, cranberries, spinach, and other leafy greens are all good to include in your diet. While you’re at it, try and cut out the caffeine, which can raise your blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to constrict. This makes period pain feel more intense as your uterus has to work harder to do its thing! Cut out coffee, tea, and especially energy drinks (which are high in sugar as well as caffeine).

5. Massage Yourself

A massage is great for relieving pain, but you don’t have to fork out to get a professional one! Nobody knows your body better than you, so you’re actually the most qualified person to give yourself a pain-relieving tummy massage. Treat yourself to some essential oils (these can be whatever you like) and gently massage your stomach in a slow, circular motion. Try and get as close to the source of the pain as you can. This will help reduce inflammation and increase blood flow to your stomach, making things a little easier for you. If you’ve tried out all the other tips on this list, you shouldn’t be feeling too bloated or sensitive, so you can treat yourself to a quiet night in and a self-massage! Note you should never use essential oils undiluted, and if you’ve never used one before, always do a patch test first to make sure you’re not allergic. Always read the label before you apply essential oils.

6. Take the Right Painkillers

Some people don’t like to take painkillers if they can help it, but if you don’t mind taking some tablets to help with your period pain then you need to make sure you take the right ones. Paracetamol often isn’t effective, but ibuprofen can work as it has anti-inflammatory properties. If your pain is really bad, you can also take codeine tablets like co-codamol for a stronger pain relief. Try not to take too much of it, though, especially if your periods tend to last a full 5 days, as codeine can be addictive if taken for longer than a couple of days. Always make sure you look at the labels before taking any tablets, especially if you happen to be on other medications prescribed by a doctor.